Starting Over at 30

Here's What Month One Actually Looked Like

Author

Pablo Ottenwalder
May 22, 2026

Words I like: The tuition you pay in losses is the most expensive education you'll ever get- and the most valuable.

Pablo’s Perspective:

I told you I was starting over. Here's the honest update.

A lot has happened since that newsletter.

On the residential side my single family flip finally has a signed P&S and should close next month. I'm also flying up to Massachusetts to look at a wholetail deal I already have a buyer lined up for, and I'm working a 6 unit commercial deal up there too. On top of that I'm selling my own building and already have a couple of offers on the table.

But the real story is what's happening down here in South Florida.

I made the decision to go all in on commercial real estate in Florida and I'm not easing into it. I already have two LOIs out for commercial leases. I'm working a warehouse deal for someone I connected with online. I have a cannabis company interested in a West Palm Beach space - which would be my first lease closing. And I just launched The Ottenwalder Brief — a weekly newsletter breaking down real estate and business deals happening in South Florida so I can build the kind of market intelligence that actually gives you an edge.

(If you want to subscribe just respond to this email)

My goal for 2026 is $100,000 in commercial real estate commissions in South Florida.

Current total: $0.

I'm telling you that number because accountability is the whole point.

Month one I plant the seeds. Month six is when you find out if they grew….

— Pablo

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Book i’m currently reading $elling Building$ - Bob Knakal 

Did you know? 💡 

The average commercial real estate broker in the United States earns between $80,000 and $150,000 in their first three years but 80% of new brokers quit before year two. The ones who make it aren't the most talented. They're the ones who kept making calls when nothing was closing.

-Pablo